As frequent benefit-goers know, trading pajamas for party clothes can sometimes be a real hassle. Not so when Mayor John Hickenlooper, Walter Isenberg, Evan Makovsky and others committed to ending homelessness in Denver host their annual wing-ding at the downtown Residence Inn.
PJs are the suggested dress, and most everyone obliges by showing up in Dr. Dentons or something similar to kick back and have some fun while raising big bucks — this year, $200,000 — for Denver’s Road Home.
The previous two years, the mayor has worn a red flannel night shirt made for him by his mother some 25 years ago. But this year, his 5-year-old son, Teddy, insisted he wear the snowman pajamas that had been the family’s holiday sleepwear choice.
His main role at the party?
With many guests opting for higher-priced tickets that included an overnight at the Residence Inn (developers Isenberg and Makovsky donated all room proceeds for that night to the cause), Hickenlooper didn’t have to be asked twice to record the greeting that those requesting wakeup calls heard the following morning.
Hickenlooper also presented an award to Jim Polsfut for his commitment to Denver’s Road Home, an initiative that has already reduced the number of homeless by 11 percent. Polsfut chairs the community appeals team for Denver’s Road Home, and attended the party with his 14-year-old son, Javier.
The 500-plus guests were treated to comfort food from Three Tomatoes catering; the buffet tables were stocked with green chile, fondue, cupcakes and lollipops. A silent auction included pajamas autographed by the Colorado Rockies’ 2007 World Series team, Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and feminist Gloria Steinem.
There also was a raffle, and 10-year-old Molly Lucas appeared to be the champion ticket-seller with sales of $600 a good hour before the drawing was conducted.
Drag queen Nuclia Waste was there out of drag but colorful as always in pink flamingo PJs and his “killer rabbit” slippers. Denver City Councilwoman Marcia Johnson was “Your Worst Nightmare” with her face smeared with a pea-green masque and cucumber slices decorating the sleep mask worn headband-style just above her forehead. Bonfils-Stanton Foundation President Dorothy Horrell was the exact opposite: elegant in navy blue silk pajamas with matching robe and perfectly coiffed hair.
Other familiar faces in the crowd: Roxane White, Denver’s manager of human services; Jamie Van Leeuwen, project manager for Denver’s Road Home; Debbie Ortega, executive director of the Commission to End Homelessness; City Council members Carla Madison and Doug Linkhart; Barry Hirschfeld; Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership; Gary Renville, director of development and marketing for Metro Volunteers; Josh Hanfling; Christie Isenberg; Evi Makovsky; Leanna Clark, co-owner of Schenkein public relations; and Robbie and Sharon Hahn.

Pictures taken at the Mayor’s Pajama Party can be seen at denverpost.com/SeenGallery.